The intermodal container may be called by other names like a box, high-cube container, ISO container, sea can, freight container, container and conex box. These models are made from standardized reusable steel. They provide secure and efficient and safe storage for moving materials all around the globe via a international containerized intermodal freight system.
The term "Intermodal" refers that the container is capable of being moved from one kind of transport to another. Like for instance, intermodal means from ship to truck or ship to rail, without having to reload and unload the container's contents. Several of the container lengths that have a unique ISO 6346 reporting mark on them vary from 2.438 m or 8-feet to 56 feet or 17.07m. These models are as high as 2.438 m or 8feet to 9 feet, 6 inches or 2.9 m. It is estimated that there are approximately 17 million intermodal containers of different types to suit a variety of cargoes in the world.
These containers could be transported by container ship, freight train and semi-truck trailer. They could also travel many distances without having to be unpacked. At container terminals, they are transferred between modes by container cranes. A reach-stacker is usually used to transfer from a flat-bed truck to a rail car. These models are secured during transportation by a range of "twistlock" points located at each corner on the container.
Each container is equipped with a particular BIC code or bin identification code which is painted on the outside to be able to take care of identification and tracking. These units are capable of carrying items ranging around 20 to 25 tonnes.
For transport on rails, the container can be carried on flatcars or on well cars. Well cars have been designed particularly for use by intermodal containers. They can accommodate double-stacked containers safely and efficiently. The loading gauge of a rail system can actually restrict the types of container shipment and the particular modes of the shipment. For instance, the smaller loading gauges that are normally found within European railroads would just handle single-stacked containers. In certain countries like for example the United Kingdom, there are some sections of the rail network which cannot accommodate high-cube containers, unless they could use well cars only.
These containers are made to last and are utilized to travel extreme distances. They are re-used with businesses and could carry an enormous amount of cargo. These containers are responsible for moving many of the things we rely on everyday around the world.